Does THIS count as an actual golf shot? Here's the official verdict!

Lady golfer has a mare with her tee shot - but does it count as a stroke and what happens next?

Andy Roberts's picture
Mon, 7 Dec 2020
Does THIS count as an actual golf shot? Here's the official verdict!

Our friends over at Golf Rules Questions posted an interesting video of a lady golfer going right under her ball with her tee shot recently - but does it count as an actual strike? 

According to GRQ, yes - but there is some good news for the golfer in question. Read below to learn more:

 

 

"Yes, but the good news is because it is still within the teeing area (only the part that is defined by the markers and two club lengths in depth), the player may re-tee their ball anywhere within the teeing area for no penalty," says GRQ.

"They will now be playing their second shot from there. This falls under Rule 6.2 in the Rules of Golf."

Here's the official Rule 6.2 in the R&A's Rules of Golf:

6.2 Playing Ball from Teeing Area

a - When Teeing Area Rules Apply

The teeing area Rules in Rule 6.2b apply whenever a player is required or allowed to play a ball from the teeing area. This includes when:

  • The player is starting play of the hole (see Rule 6.1),

  • The player will play again from the teeing area under a Rule (see Rule 14.6), or

  • The player’s ball is in play in the teeing area after a stroke or after the player has taken relief.

This Rule applies only to the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, not to any other teeing locations on the course (whether on the same hole or a different hole).

b - Teeing Area Rules

(1) When Ball Is in Teeing Area.

  • A ball is in the teeing area when any part of the ball touches or is above any part of the teeing area.

  • The player may stand outside the teeing area in making the stroke at a ball in the teeing area.

DIAGRAM 6.2b: WHEN BALL IS IN TEEING AREA

The dotted line defines the outside edges of the teeing area (see Definition of Teeing Area). A ball is in the teeing area when any part of the ball touches or is above part of the teeing area.

(2) Ball May Be Teed or Played from Ground. The ball must be played from either:

  • A tee placed in or on the ground, or

  • The ground itself.

For purposes of this Rule, the “ground” includes sand or other natural materials put in place to set the tee or ball on.

The player must not make a stroke at a ball on a non-conforming tee or a ball teed in a way not allowed by this Rule.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 6.2b(2):

  • Penalty for first breach from single act or related acts: General Penalty.

  • Penalty for second breach unrelated to first breach: Disqualification.

(3) Certain Conditions in Teeing Area May Be Improved. Before making a stroke, the player may take these actions in the teeing area to improve the conditions affecting the stroke (see Rule 8.1b(8)):

  • Alter the surface of the ground in the teeing area (such as by making an indentation with a club or foot),

  • Move, bend or break grass, weeds and other natural objects that are attached or growing in the ground in the teeing area,

  • Remove or press down sand and soil in the teeing area, and

  • Remove dew, frost and water in the teeing area.

But the player gets the general penalty if he or she takes any other action to improve the conditions affecting the stroke in breach of Rule 8.1a.

(4) Restriction on Moving Tee-Markers When Playing from Teeing Area.

  • The location of the tee-markers is set by the Committee to define each teeing area and should remain in that same location for all players who will play from that teeing area.

  • If the player improves the conditions affecting the stroke by moving any such tee-marker before playing from the teeing area, he or she gets the general penalty for breach of Rule 8.1a(1).

In all other situations, the tee-markers are treated as regular movable obstructions that may be removed as allowed in Rule 15.2.

(5) Ball Is Not in Play Until Stroke Is Made. Whether the ball is teed or on the ground, when starting a hole or playing again from the teeing area under a Rule:

  • The ball is not in play until the player makes a stroke at it, and 

  • The ball may be lifted or moved without penalty before the stroke is made.

If a teed ball falls off the tee or is knocked off the tee by the player before the player has made a stroke at it, it may be re-teed anywhere in the teeing area without penalty.

But if the player makes a stroke at that ball while it is falling or after it has fallen off, there is no penalty, the stroke counts and the ball is in play.

(6) When Ball in Play Lies in Teeing Area. If the player’s ball in play is in the teeing area after a stroke (such as a teed ball after a stroke that missed the ball) or after taking relief, the player may:

  • Lift or move the ball without penalty (see Rule 9.4b, Exception 1), and

  • Play that ball or another ball from anywhere in the teeing area from a tee or the ground under (2), including playing the ball as it lies. 

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 6.2b(6): General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

If multiple Rule breaches result from a single act or related acts, see Rule 1.3c(4).